An asthma action plan is your guide to managing your asthma. It's a written plan created by you and your doctor to help you monitor your asthma and decide what to do in various situations. When it comes to asthma, knowledge is power. The more you know, the better you will be able to control your asthma.

Asthma is a variable disease. This means your symptoms can vary over time. Things like respiratory infections, allergies, pollution, or stress can make your asthma temporarily worse at certain times of the year. While these fluctuations are to be expected, you can take control of your symptoms by having a good asthma action plan.

First, print off "My Asthma Action Plan". Bring it to your doctor's visit so you and your doctor can fill it out together. Once your plan is complete, you're ready to use it! To use your asthma action plan, monitor your symptoms and peak flow (see "Monitoring asthma symptoms") as directed by your doctor.

If you don't have an asthma action plan, now is an excellent time to get one! Because the severity of your asthma may vary throughout the seasons, it's important to know how to keep your asthma under control and what to do if it gets worse. Your asthma action plan will give you the knowledge you need to control your condition.

"My Asthma Action Plan" is your step-by-step guide to what medications to take and what actions are required of you, whether you have asthma symptoms or not, or if you are in an emergency situation. It gives you the confidence to make the right decisions at the right time. Print a copy of the "My Asthma Action Plan," take it to your doctor, fill it out together, and start taking control of your asthma.